Coiling apparatus



Jan. 27, 1959 J. A. MASON ETAL 2,870,972

COILING APPARATUS Original Filed July 31, 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll 1,0 12. l 50 1a m r I 2 I n-w-m 1'7 1/ 3: r II I 3'7 35 33 I5 rm" 39 INVENTORS James Fl. Mason y Harold H. DUFF Jan. 27, 1959 A, MASON ET AL v 2,870,972

COILING APPARATUS Original Filed July 31', 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 v or do R.

8. V M u INVENTORS James H. Mason By Harold H. Duff 1959 I I. A. MASON ET AL 2, 7

comm; APPARATUS Original Filed July 31. 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 James H. Mason I-Iarold H. Duff m/agw Arm I 4 INVENTORJS Jan. 27, 1959 J. A. MASON ET AL COILING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed July 31; 1955 fT Li} IJII Illllllllll Ill...

INVENTORS James H. Mason I-Iarold. H.Duff

Fl 0 may Jan. 27, 1959 J MAISON ET AL 2,870,972

COILING APPARATUS Original Filed July 31, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS James fl.Ma.son gyHaTOld Duff 14 orney IGI 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 J. A. MASON ET AL COILING APPARATUS INVENTORS James H. Mason By Harold H. Duff Fl o'rney Jan. 27, 1959 Original Filed July 31, 1953 7 sheets-sheet 7 COILING APPARATUS J. A. MASON ET AL JBZ Jan. 27, 1959 Original Filed July 31, 1953 INVENTORS James H. Mason BY Harold. H. Duff lieu H orney Fig.7

i l I United States Patent COILING APPARATUS James A. Mason, Beloit, Wis, and Harold H. Duff, Manchester, Conn assignors to Machinery Electrification, Inc., Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Continuation of application Serial No. 371,638, July 31, 1953. This application July 30, 1957, Serial No. 676,463

11 Claims. (Cl. 242-25) This invention relates generally to ceiling apparatus and more particularly to a machine for forming wire and the like into coils.

This application is a continuation of patent application Serial No. 371,688, now abandoned.

In the wire industries it is very often necessary to forrn wire into coils. This need may arise after an operation in which the wire has been drawn, annealed, coated, or insulated and, particularly if the operation is the last one before shipment, it is necessary to form even coils and to do it quickly. There is a greatneed in this industry for a coiling machine in which the wire enters the machine continuously and emerges in coils, there being provision for the continuation of the coiling operation while the finished coils are being removed. Machines of this type have in the past been very complicated mechanical affairs involving many gears and they have been prone to break down or otherwise operate inadequately. The present invention obviates the difiiculties experienced in the past with apparatus of this type in a novel manner.

It is therefore an outstanding object of the invention to provide a coiling apparatus in which, after starting, the operator need only remove finished coils.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for coiling wire or the like in which the controls are predominantly electrical.

A still further object of the instant invention is the provision of a coiling apparatus in which the wire lay is constant at all speeds and sizes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for coiling wire which automatically provides for fastening the wire to an empty reel and severing the wire between the empty reel and one which has just been filled.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a coiling apparatus having two reels, one of which may be moved away from the area of coiling, while the other is being provided with wire.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a coiling machine which will automatically feed Wire to a driven reel while traversing back and forth over the reel and while maintaining wire tension constant irrespective of amount of wire already on the reel, which will measure a desired amount of wire passing onto the reel and will quickly transfer the wire to another reel when the desired amount is reached, and which will secure the wire to the new reel and will cut the wire joining the two reels.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, themode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic view of the major elements of the apparatus of the invention;

2,870,972 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mechanical components of the invention, and

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are circuit diagrams of the electrical components of the invention.

Similar reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Mechanical apparatus Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a mainmotor 10 drives a transversemain shaft 11 which is interrupted-by an electrornagnetic friction clutch 12. The outer end of the shaft 11 has mounted thereon a sheave 13, having a plu-' rality of belt grooves. A belt 14 passing over the sheave 131 drives a pulley 15 mounted on one end of a transverse horizontal shaft 16. The shaft 16 is interrupted by an electromagnetic friction right reel clutch and brake assembly 17 including a brake 17b and a clutch 17c and on its other end is mounted a pulley 18. A belt 19 passing around the pulley 18 drives another pulley 20 which is keyed toone end of a transverse horizontal shaft 21 on the other end of which is keyed a spur gear 22. The spur gear 22 meshes with an idler gear 23 which, in turn, engages a gear 24. The gear 24 is keyed to the inter-, mediate portion of a transverse horizontal drum shaft 25 one end of which is vertically pivotally attached by hinge means 26 to a frame 27 of the apparatus upon which frame all the elements are mounted. Thehinge means 26 is provided with an actuating handle 28 and the gear 24 moves out of engagement with the gear 23 when the shaft 25 is moved about the hinge means. The other end of the drum shaft 25 has mounted thereon a flange 29 spaced inwardly from the free end of the shaft, a reel 30 of somewhat larger diameter than the shaft, and a series of retaining fingers 31 adapted tobe collapsed for removal of a coil of wire from the reel 30.

A belt 32 engages another groove in the sheave 13 and passes around a pulley 33 which is keyed to one end of a horizontal shaft 34 which extends transversely across the forward lower portion of the frame 27. An electromagnetic friction left reel clutch and brake assembly 35 including a clutch 35c and a brake 35b is interposed in the shaft 34 and the other end of the shaft has mounted thereon a pulley 36. A belt 37 connects the pulley 36 to another pulley 38 which is keyed to one end of a transverse horizontal shaft 39 on the other end of which is keyed a spur gear 40. The gear 40 engages an idler gear 41 which, in turn, drives a gear 42. The gear 42 is keyed to the intermediate portion of a transverse horizontal drum shaft 43 which is attached at its outer end to a hinge means 44 having a handle 45. Also mounted on the drum shaft 43 is a flange 46 of large diameter spaced some distance from the free end, a reel 47, and, at the extreme end, retaining fingers 48. The retaining fingers 31 and 48 are capable of being moved from positions at right angles to the axis of their respective reels to positions parallel thereto, to permit removal of a coil of Wire which "has accumulated on the reel. An elongated knife 49 is mounted on the frame on a line between the reels for separating a strand of wire joining the reels after the machine has finished coiling on one drum portion and has switched to the other.

The sheave 13 is also engaged by a belt 50 which passes over apulle'y 15 mounted on one end of a transverse horizontal shaft 52. On the intermediate portion of the shaft 52 is mounted twopulleys 53 and 54. Pulley 53 drives a belt which, in turn, drives a pulley 56 keyedto the drive shaft 5'7 of a variable speed-reducing unit 58 of the wellknown type. To the output shaft 59 of the unit 58 is keyed a pulley 60 which drives a pulley 62 through a belt 61. The pulley 62 is bolted to the input side of an elec tromagnetic friction feed traverse clutch 63. Theinput side and pulley are mounted on a transverse horizontal shaft 64 so as to be rotatable relative thereto; the output side of the clutch 63, however, is keyed to the shaft 64. The pulley 54 drives a belt 65 which passes over a pulley 66. The pulley 66 is bolted to the input side of an electromagnetic friction rapid traverse clutch 67 and the two are journaled on the shaft 64 so as to be rotatable thereabout. The output side of the clutch 67 is keyed to the shaft 64. On the end of the shaft 64 is keyed a small bevel gear 68 which engages two relatively large bevel gears 69 and 70. The gears 69 and 70 face each other and are separately rotatably journaled on a longitudinal horizontal shaft 61. Each gear 69 and 70 is bolted to the .input sides of electromagnetic friction left traverse clutch 72 and right traverse clutch 73, respectively, the output -sides of which are keyed to the shaft 71. One end of the shaft 71 is at the forward portion of the frame 27 and has .mounted thereon a sprocket 74. An endless link chain 75 passes over the sprocket 74 and idler sprockets 76 and 77 so as to form a narrow loop in a vertical plane extending transversely of the frame 27 and having an upper pass extending rearwardly and upwardly of the flanges 29 and .46 of the drum. On the upper pass of the link chain 75 is mounted a guide member 78 providing a frictionless guide forthe passage of the wire to the reels 30 and 47. At the rear of the apparatus is fastened a vertical track .79 from the top of which extends a fixed transverse horizontal shaft 80. A slide 81 is arranged to move freely .upand down on the track 79 and from the slide extends a transverse horizontal shaft 82. An upper drum 83 is ,rotatably iournaled on the shaft 80, while a lower drum 84 is similarly journaled on the shaft 82. A rack 85 is fastened to the slide 81 and is free to move up and down therewith; this rackv engages a pinion gear 86 which is l i A Supvlemental drive mOiOI' 88 8 mflllnfed in thfi lower, I I: reel-driving F and right reel selector relay K', respectively.

rearward portion of the a paratus and its shaft is provided with a pulley 89. The pulley 89 drives a belt 90 which passes over a pulley 91 keyed to a horizontal. longitudinal shaft 92. To the other end of the shaft 92 is keyed a pulley 93 which drives a belt 94 which passes over a pulley 95 keved to one end of a horizontal, longitudinal shaft 96. The shaft 96 has an electromagnetic friction clutch 97 interposed therein. the output end having a drum 98 keved thereto. Another drum 99 resides in a position parallel to and coextensive with the drum 98 and is rotatably journaled by means of a shaft 100. A wire guide 101 having upper and lower wheels, between which wire passes when it first enters the machine. is

mounted adiacent the drums 98 and 99. A counter 102, v

which are mounted dogs 164. 165, 166, 167, 168 and 169. V

A reversing limit switch 156 is mounted on the guide member 78 and the two are movable together with the chain 75. The switch 156 has a contact finger which engages dogs 166, 167, 168 and 169 on occasion. A reel selector switch 130 is mounted midway between the sides of the apparatus and behind the path of the guide member 78, the former having a toggle contact finger 130a and the latter having a rearwardly projecting pin which engages the finger on occasion. A right reel rapid traverse switch 143 is mounted to the right of the apparatus behind the flange 29 in a position to be engaged by the rearwardly projecting pin on the guide 78 and a left reel rapid traverse switch 144 is similarly mounted on the left portion of the apparatus behind the flange 46.

The end of the shaft 52 which is opposite that on which the pulley 51 is mounted is provided with a bevel gear 170 which engages a similar bevel gear 171 mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 172. The lower end of 4 the shaft has attached thereto a bevel gear 173 which engages two large facing bevel gears 174 and 175 which are fastened to the input sides of electromagnetic friction clutches 176 and 177, respectively. The clutches 176 and 177 are mounted on a transverse horizontal shaft 178, the input sides being free to rotate relative thereto, while the output sides are keyed thereto. The free end of the shaft 178 has a pinion 179 which engages rack teeth out into the upper edge of the knife 49. From the side of the intermediate portion of the knife extends a dog 180 which is adapted to engage two limit switches 181 and 182 mounted alongside the knife. The limit switches are spaced longitudinally of the apparatus the same distance that the knife must travel in passing from its rearward position of rest to its forward cutting position between the reels.

Electrical apparatus Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, three lines 103, 104 and are connected to a source of three-phase power, not shown, through a main switch 106 and main fuses 107. Theselines are connected to the main motor 10 and the motor 197 through the normally-open contactors A1, A2 and A3 of a motor starter and through fuses 108. Across the power lines 103 and 105 is connected the primary of a transformer 110, the secondary of which is connected through fuses 111 and 112 to lines 113 and 114 across which are connected a series of circuits making up a portion of the controls for the apparatus. Across the lines 113 and 114 are connected, in series with one another in the order named, a normally-closed push. button stop switch 115, a normally-open push button start switch 116, and the coil of the main motor starter A. A point between the switches and 116 is connected to one side of a normally-open contactor A4 of the main motor starter A. The other side of the contactor A4 is connected to the other sideof the switch 116 and one side each of normally-open contactors F1 and K1 of dual .F2 and L1 of relay F and left reel selector relay L, re-

spectively. The other sides of the contactors F2 and L1 are connected to one another and to one side of the coil of a right reel drive relay J the other side of which is connected to the line 114.

The alternating current lines 113 and 114 are used as a power source for a control apparatus which serves to control the speed of the output side of the main drive motor clutch 12. This control apparatus is of awellknown type which compares the output voltage of a tachometer generator connected to the member Whose speed is to be controlled with a reference voltage. In this case the reference voltage is provided by the potentiometer 87 which, it will be recalled, is positioned by the movements of the drum 84. The tachometer generator 104 is attached to the output side of the clutch 12. A control apparatus which may be used to advantage in this application is that described in the patent of James A. Mason, No. 2,788,104. A capacitor 161 is connected across the field coil of the clutch 12. 1.. similar apparatus 183 is used to control the clutch 97. A tachometer generator 18 iis connected to the output of this clutch and a potentiometer 185 provides the reference voltage, A capacit r 186 is connected across the field coil of the clutch 97. r

Across the lines 113 and 114 (Figure 4) is connected the primary of a transformer 117 having a low voltage secondary and a high voltage secondary. The low voltage secondary is connected to the filament of a triode vacuum tube 118 and to the filament of a similar vacuum tube 119. The plate of the tube 118 is connected to one side each of a capacitor 129 and the coil of a counter time delay relay E. The other sides of these elements are joined to each other and to one side of the high voltage secondary of the transformer 117. The other side of the secondary is connected to one side of a potentiometer 121, the other side of which is connected to the grid of the tube 118. A timing capacitor 122 is connected across the potentiometer andthe potentiometer is shorted from the point of contact of its movable contact member to the filament side." The transformer side of the potentiometer is connected through a normally-open contactor P1 of a counter switch relay G .to the cathode of the tube 118.. A resistor is connected from the cathode of the tube 118 to the transformer sides of the capacitor 120 and the coil of the relay E.

The primary of a transformer 124 is also connected across the lines 113 and 114. One side of its secondary is connected to one side each of a capacitor 125 and-the coil of a counter reset time delay relay B. The other sides of the capacitor and coil are connected to each other and to the plate of the tube 119. The other side of the secondary is connected to one side of a potentiometer 126, the other side of which is connected to the grid of the tube 119. A timing capacitor 127 is connected across the potentiometer and the potentiometer is shorted through its movable contact member. The transformer side of the potentiometer is connected through a normallyopen contactor of an auxiliary counter reset relay R to the cathode of the tube 119. A resistor 123 is connected from the cathode to the transformer side of the capacitor 125 and the coil of the relay B.

A normally-open contactor E1 of relay E, normallyclosed contactor B1 of relay B, and the coil of the relay R are connected in series with each other in the order named across the lines 113 and 114. The side of contactor E1 connected to line 113 is connected to one side of a normally open contactor X1 of a relay X, the other side of which is connected to one side of a normally-open contactor R1 of relay R the other side of which is, in turn, connected to a point between the contactors E1 and B1. A point between the contactor B1 and the coil of the relay R is connected to one side of the coil of the counter reset relay X, the other side of which is connected to the line 114.

Across the lines 113 and 114 are connected a counter switch 3 and the coil of the relay G in series with each other and in the order named. A point between the switch S and the coil of the relay 6 is connected to the line 113 through a normally-open push button reset switch 129. This point is-also connected to one side of a normally-open contactor Z of the relay G, the other side of which is connected to the line 113 through a normallyopen contactor X2 of the relay X.

A normallycpen contactor X3 of the relay X and the coil of a counter reset solenoid T are connected in series with each other from line 113 to line 114.

The center point of the two-throw reel selector switch 1341 (Figures 1, 2 and 5) is connected to the line 113. One of the switch contacts is connected through the coil of the relay K to the line 114, while the other of the switch contacts is connected to line 114 through the coil of the relay L.

The primary of a transformer 131 is connected from line 113 to line 114. The transformer 131 has a low voltage secondary which is connected to the filaments of triode vacuum tubes 132 and 133. The transformer also has a highvoltage secondary which is connected at one end to one side each of a capacitor 134 and the coil of a knife time delay relay C. The other sides of the capacitor and the coil are connected to the plate of the tube 132. The other end of the high voltage secondary is connected to one side of a potentiometer 135, the other side of which is connected to the grid of the tube 132. The potentiometer is shorted through its movable contact member and a timing capacitor 136 is connected thereacross. The transformer side of the potentiometer is connected through a normally-open contactor 01 of a 6 rapid traverse cutout relay 0 to the cathode of the tube 132. A resistor 137 is connected from the cathode to the transformer sides of the capacitor 134 and the coil of the relay C.

The primary of a transformer 138 is connected across the lines 113 and 114 and its secondary is connected at one end to one end each of a capacitor 139 and the coil of a knife resct time delay relay D, the other end of which is connected to the plate of the tube 133. The other end of the secondary is connected to one side of a potentiometer 140, the other side of which is attached to the grid of the tube 133. A timing capacitor 141 is connected across the potentiometer 140 and the potentiometer is shorted from the grid end to the point of contact of it s movable contact member. The transformer end of the potentiometer is connected to the cathode of the tube 133 through a normally open contactor C1 of the relay C. A resistor 142 is connected from the cathode to the transformer side of the capacitor 139 and the coil of the relay D. i i

A normally-open left limit switch 144 (Figure 6), a normally-open contactor M1 of a left rapid traverse relay M, and the coil of a tie-in dwell relay P are connected in series with each other in the order named from the line 113 to the line 114. A point between the contactor M1 and tne coil of the relay P is connected to one side of a normally-open contactor N1 of a right rapid traverse relay N, the other side of which is connected through a normally-open right limit switch 143 to the line 113. The same point is connected through the coil of the relay 0 to the line 114. The same point is connected to one side of a normally-open contactor 02 of the relay 0, the other side of which is connected to one side of a normally-closed contactor D1 of the relay D the other side of which is, in turn, connected to the line 113. A

point between the contactors 02 and D1 is connected to one side each of a normally-open contactor G3 of the relay G and a normally-open contactor P3 of the relay F, the other sides of these contactors being joined to each other and to one side of the coil of the relay F, the other side of which is connected to the line 114. The point between the contactors O2 and D1 is also connected to the line 114 through a normally-open contactor C2 of the relay C and the coil of a secondary knife relay U. A point between the contactors C2 and the coil of the relay U is connected to the line 114 through the coil of a primary knife relay H. A normally-open contactor H1 of the relay H is connected from side to side of the contactor C2.

A normally-open contactor U1 of the relay U, and the coil of the knife relay W are connected in series across the lines 113 and 114.

From line 113 to line 114 is connected in series a normally-closed portion of the forward limit switch 182 which is associated with the knife 49 and a normallyopen contactor W1 of the tertiary knife relay W.

One side of a normally-closed contactor 03 of the relay 0 is connected to the line 113, while the other side is connected to one side of a normally-open contactor E2 of the relay E. The other side of the contactor E2 is connected to oneside each of a normally-open contactor K2 oi the relay K and a normally-open contactor L2 of the relay L. The other side of the contactor K2 is connected through a normally-open contactor N2 of the relay N to a point between the contactor O3 and the contactor B2. A point between the contactor K2 and the contactor N2 is connected to the line 114 through a normallyclosed contactor M2 of the relay M and the coil of the relay N in series. The other side of the contactor L2 is connected to the point between the contactors O3 and E2 through a normally-open contactor M3 of the relay M; the other side of the contactor L2 is also connected to the line 114 through a normally-closed contactor N3 of the relay N and the coil of the relay M in series.

7 ""The'lines 113'and 114 are connected through fuses to "the input terminals of a rectifier bridge 145, the output terminals of which are connected to direct current power .lines 146 and 147. Across the direct current lines 146 and 147 are connected in series a normally-open contactor W2 of the knife relay W and the' field coil of the forward motion Iknife clutch 176 (Figure 7), there being a capacitor 187 connected across the coil.

direct current lines, in series andin the order named, are a normally-open portion of the forward limit switch 182, a normally-closed rearward limit switch 181, and the field coil of the rearward motion knife clutch 177 havin a capacitor 188 connected thereacross.

A variable resistor 148 is connected on one side to the line 146; the other side of the resistor is connected to the line 147 through a normally-closed contactor 11 of the relay I and the field coil of the left reel brake 35b in series. A capacitor 149 is connected across the coil ,of the brake. The other side of the resistor is also connected to the line 147 through a normally-closed contactor ll of the relay I and the field coil of the right Also connected across these reel brake 17b in series; a capacitor 150 is connected across the coil. The normally-open limit switch 151 associated with the drum 84 is connected from a point between the contactor I1 and the field coil of the brake 35b to a point between the contactor I1 and the field coil of the brake 17b. Across the lines 146 and 147 are also connected a normally-open contactor 12 of the relay I and the field coil of the left reel clutch 350 in series with each other; a capacitor 152 is connected across the coil. A normally-open contactor J2 of the relay J and the field'coil of the right reel clutch 170 are connected in series with each other across. the lines 146 and 147; capacitor 153 is connected across the coil.

A normally-closed contactor N4 of the relay N, a normally-closed contactor P1 of the relay P, a normally closed contactor M4 of the relay M and the field coil of the feed traverse clutch 63 are connected in series with one another in the order named across the lines 146 and 147; a capacitor 154 is connected across the coil. A normally-open contactor N5 of the relay N and the field coil of the rapid traverse clutch 67 are connected in series with each other across the direct current power lines, there being a capacitor 155 across the coil. A normallyopen contactor M5 of the relay M is connected at one side to the line 146 and at the other side to a point between the contactor N5 and the field coil of the clutch 67. '3 Oneside of a normally-closed contactor P2 of the relay P is connected to the line 146, while the other side is connected to the center of the double-throw reversing limit switch 156. One terminal of the switch is connected to the line 147 through a normally-closed contactor M7 of the relay M, a normally-closed contactor N6 of the relay N and the field coil of the traverse left clutch 72 in series in the order named. The other terminal of the switch is connected to the line 147 through a normally-closed contactor N7 of the relay N, a normallyclosed contactor MS of the relay M and the field coil of the traverse right clutch 73 in series in the order named. A capacitor 157 is connected across the field coil of the clutch 72, while a capacitor 158 is connected across the clutch 73. A point between the contactors M7 and N6 is connected to the line 146 through a normally-open contactor M6 of the relay M. A point between the contactors N7 and M8 is connected to the line 146 through a normally-open contactor N8 of the relay N.

Mechanical operation ;;Tl16. general operation of the'apparatus is best described by setting forth the various steps that take place during a cycle of operation. It must be remembered, however, thatwhen the apparatus is initially started up, the apparatus may have been left in any part of the cycle, and provision is, therefore, made for all possible situareel.

tions that may raise for that reason. However, for the purpose of the present description, let it be assumed that the apparatus has been in operation for some time, so that the peculiar situations which may arise during starting up need not be considered. Assuming that the guide member is at the left on the left reel 47 and that'the Winding of the wire on the reel has just started, the counter 102 registers zero and operates to measure the Wire as it passes into the apparatus to be wound on the drum. The wire is passing through the wire guide 101, through the counter 102 onto the drum 98. The wire is passed around the drums 98 and 99 several times and passes upwardly to the drums 83 and 84. The wire passes around these last two drums for several turns and then leaves the drum 83 and passes through the guide member 78 to the left reel 47. The drum 84 is free to slide up and down on the vertical track 79 with its slide 81. The weight of the drum and associated equipment is balanced by the sum of the tensions in the strands of wire extending between the drums 83 and 84 in conjunction with the friction of the wire on the drums. The net re sult is that the drum 84 assumes a position dependent on the tension in the wire passing to the guide member 78. This, in turn, is dependent on the speed of the The position of adjustment of the potentiometer 87 is determined by the vertical positions of the drum 84 because of the connection between the two through the rack 85 and the pinion gear 86. As will be described more completely in connection with the electrical portion of the apparatus, the adjustment of the potentiometer 87 determines the speed at which the main motor drives the reels through the clutch 12. The tension in the wire must be and is maintained constant, therefore, irrespective of whether the wire is being Wound on the left reel 47, the right reel 30 is standing still its brake 1711 being engaged and its clutch 17c being disengaged. We have assumed that the guide member 78 is in the extreme left position over the left reel 47 and is starting to traverse to the right at normal speed. It does this because the link chain 75 and the sprocket 74 are being driven in the proper direction and at the proper speed. The main motor drives the shaft 11 and the sheave 13 through the clutch 12, the relation between the speed of the main motor and the output of the clutch being determined by the tension in the wire. The sheave 13 drives the shaft 52 through the medium of the belt 50 and the pulley 51. The shaft 52 drives the input shaft of the speed reducing unit 58 through the pulley 53, the belt 55 and the pulley 56. The output shaft of the speed reducing unit has mounted thereon the pulley 61 which drives the pulley 62 on the input side of the clutch 63 through the belt 61. The clutch 63 is in engagement and drives the shaft 64 and the pinion 68. It should be noted that the input side of the clutch 67 is also being driven, at a much higher speed, by means of the pulley 54, the belt 65 and the pulley 66; however, i

this clutch is not in engagement and, therefore, does not drive the shaft at the time under discussion. The pinion 68 drives the bevel gears 69 and 70 on the input sides of the clutches 72 and 73, respectively. The output sides of these clutches are, of course, keyed to the shaft 71 for the driving thereof in opposite directions. During the movement of the guide member 78 from left to right, the clutch 73 is in engagement and the clutch 72 is not in engagement. The guide member moves to the right, laying wire on the reel in the re quired manner, until the actuating finger of the switch 156 strikes the dog 167. This disengages the clutch 73 and engages the clutch 74, so that the shaft 71 is driven in the opposite direction at normal speed and the guide member 78 moves with the link belt from right to left. When the guide member has moved far enough to the left, the actuating finger of the switch 156 engages the dog 166 and reverses the motion. This to and fro motion continues until the counter determines that suffr- 9 cient amount of wire has been wound on the reel 47. The counter then actuates the electricalcomponents of the apparatus through the switch S and the clutch 63 is disengaged, the clutch 67" is engaged, the clutch 73 is engaged and the clutch 72 is disengaged. The net result is that the guide member is driven from left to right at a high speed- Provision is made for causing the reversing switch 156 to be inoperative, so that even when the actuating finger of the switch 156 strikes the dogs 167, 168 and 169, the movement is not reversed. The guide member moves to the right carrying the wire with it and continues in the left to right motion even after the actuating finger of. the switch 156 has struck the dogs 168 and 169. As it passes between the reels, the guide member strikes the actuating finger 130a of the switch 139, thus reversing it, Eventually in its movement to the right, the guide member strikes the limit switch 143. This switch, when actuated, stops all traverse motion and the guide member remains in a fixed position at the extreme right of the right reel 36}. At the same time that the guide member began its rapid traverse from left to rig t, the brake 171) was disengaged and the clutch 170 was engaged. so that by the time the traverse was finished, the reel 31) was up to speed. The effect of the guide member standing still at the right of the reel 31!, then, is to cause a number of turns of wire to be formed on the reel in one place; this causes the wire to be fastened or tied. After the period of tying-in dwell is over, the guide member begins a traverse to the left at normal speed. By the operation of the electrical components, as will be explained further hereinafter, the reversing switch 156 is again effective. Also the clutch 63 is engaged, the clutch 67 is disengaged, the clutch 72 is engaged and the clutch 7'3 is disengaged, so that the link belt '75 is driven at slow or normal speed to the left carrying the guide member and the wire with it. When the actuating finger of the switch 156 strikes the dog 168, the clutch 72 is disengaged and the clutch 73 is engaged, so that the guide member moves from left to right. ln the meanwhile, the counter has been reset to zero and is determining the amount of wire which is being wound on the reel 30. While the guide member was standing still for fastening the Wire to the reel, the knife 49 has moved into the path of the wire between the reels under the action of its forward motion clutch 176 and has severed it. After the knife has reached its forward, cutting position, the clutch 176 isdisengaged and the rearward motion clutch 177 is engaged by the actuation of the switch 181 by the dog 180. When the knife has returned to its inoperative position the dog 180 strikes the limit switch 1'82 and disengages both clutches. After the guide member has begun its back and forth movement over the reel 30, the clutch 170 is disengaged, the brake 17b is engaged and the reel 47 is brought to a stop. The operator may then swing the reel 47 about its hinge means 44- by grasping its handle 45 and may remove the coil of wire from the reel by retracting the fingers 48. It can be seen, then, that all that is necessary for the operator to do after the apparatus is started is to remove coils of wire from the reels. If, during the winding of wire on one of the reels, he is not satisfied and wishes to discard a particular coil which is being built up thereon, he may press the reset switch 129 and the wire will automatically transfer to the other reel in the same manner as it does when the counter operates its switch at the end of a normal reeling.

Electrical operation To begin the operation of the apparatus, the operator throws the main switch 106. Assuming that the apparatus was left in a condition such that the reeling of wire on one reel was partly completed, the reel selector limit switch 130 will cause the energization of either the relay K or the relay L, depending on which reel the guide member overlies. Let it be assumed that the relay K 1S energized, the guide member being over the left reel. In this condition, the reel brakes 35b and 17b (Figure 7) are energized and engaged, since the contactors I1 and II are closed, their respective relays I and I being unenergized. The feed traverse clutch 63 is energized, since the contactors N4, P1 and M4 are all closed. The tension regulating or control apparatus and 183 is energized ready to start regulating the output speed of the clutches 12 and 97 as driven by the main drive motor 10 and the motor 88, respectively. The traversing limit switch 156 is in a position to energize either the left or right traverse clutch 72 or 73. Let it be assumed that the guide member 78 is traversing from right to left, so that the switch 156 is in a position to energize the left traverse clutch '72. i

The operator then presses the push button start switch 116, energizing the main motor starter A and closing its contactors A1, A2, A3 and A4. The motors 10 and 197 start. At the same time the relay 1 is energized by the closing of contactors A4 since the contactor K1 is closed. This energizes the left reel clutch 350 through the closing of the contactor I2 and it tie-energizes the left reel brake 35b through the opening of the contactor 11. The left reel accelerates to full speed and the traverse operates at normal feed rate and is reversed by the limit switch 156 to move the guide member 78 back and forth over the left reel. At this time the starting operation s over and the apparatus is in the condition it would be in at such a point in the normal cycle of operations.

In connection with the operation of the electrical portion of the apparatus, it is helpful to remember that the circuits associated with the vacuum tubes 118, 119, 132 and 133 are timing circuits of the usual type having a timing capacitor which charges up over a period of time, eventually reaching a voltage value which, when impressed on the grid of the tube, causes current to fiow through a relay coil in the plate circuit. A potentiometer is provided with each timing capacitor for adjustment ofthe time within which the critical voltage is reached. Now, in the present case, the four timing circuits are adjusted by means of their otentiometers to give four definite time intervals between the time that current is first admitted to the timing capacitor and the time at which the relay in the plate circuit is energized. The time interval, t-l, determined by the circuit of tube 118 is that between the moment when the counter 102 closes its switch S and the time when the empty reel is up to speed and the reel being worked on is full. The time interval, t-Z, determined by the circuit associated with the tube 119 is that between the time when the empty reel is up to speed, i. e., the end of the time interval t-l, and the time when the counter has been set back to zero and has started measuring wire again. Practically speaking it is the time during which current must be passed through the coil of the counter reset solenoid to assure that the counter has been reset. The time interval, i--3, for which the timing circuit of tube 132 is set, is that between the time the rapid traverse stops and the ime that the wire has had a chance to wrap around the new reel a number of turns for tying purposes. This is the so-called tyingin dwell. The fourth time interval, t-4, as determined by the timing circuit of tube 133, is that between the end of the tying-in dwell, that is to say, the end of the time interval t-3, andthe time when the knife is returning to its inoperative position and the reel which has just been filled is stopped.

Returning to the description of the sequence of operations, after a predetermined amount of wire has passed through the counter, the counter closes the switch s which is built into the counter. The effect is the same as if the operator had pressed the reset switch 129, as he would do if he were dissatisfied with the coil being formed at any random time during the cycle. The relay G energizes and is held in by the holding contractor G2. The closing of the contact G1 starts current flowing into 11 th'e 'timing capacitor 122 ofthe timing circuit associated With the tube 118, thus starting the timing interval t-l which eventually energizes the relay E, closing the contactor E1 and energizing the relays X and R. The relay X is energized after the empty reel (in this case, the right reel) is up to speed, since the potentiometer has been set to give a time interval t-l which will do this. The energization of relay G at the beginning of interval t-l also energizes the relay F through the closing of the contactor G3 and this energizesthe relay I by the closing of contactor F2. The actuation of the relay 1 causes the right reel clutch 170 to energize and the right reel brake 17b ,to be de-energized. The relay F seals in through the holding contactor The relay I would be energized irrespective of the condition of contactor F2 because the contactor L1 has been closed and contactor K1 opened by the switch 13% operating their respective relays L and K as the guide member moved from left to right between the reels where the switch 130 is located. The guide member is allowed to go over this center point instead of being reversed by the reversing limit switch 156 because the latter has been rendered ineffective by the opening of contactors N6 and N7, as will be described hereinafter.

When the relay X is energized at the end of the time interval z-l, it also energizes the counter reset solenoid T through the closing of the contactor X3. This, of course, starts the counter on another cycle and keeps the solenoid energized long enough to assure definite resetting. it also closes the contactor E1 and-energizes thereby the relay R which closes the contactor R2 which starts the timing interval t-Z of the circuit associated with the tube 119 which, at the end of the interval t-2, en-

' crgizes the relay B.

. The energization of the relay E at the end of the time interval t-l also causes the contactor E2 to close. The

relay N is then energized, since the contactor K2 is -N6 and N7, and the traverse right clutch 73 to be energized by the closing of the contactor N8. At this point both reels are running and the guide member 78 is traversing from the left to the right reel, striking the switch 130 in its passage. The counter reset solenoid T is energized to reset the counter 102, as has been stated.

At the end of the time interval t-2, the counter reset time delay relay 13 opens the normally-closed contactor B1 and de-energizes the relay X. This de-energizes the relay G by the opening of the contactor X2 in the holding circuit of the relay G and it tie-energizes the counter reset solenoid T by the opening of the contactor X3.

As the guide member '78 moves to the extreme right of the right reel, it strikes the right reel rapid traverse limit switch 143 and closes it. This energizes the relay 0, since the contactor N1 is closed. This closes the contactor 01 which starts the time interval. t-3 of the timing circuit associated with the vacuum tube 132. The relay O seals in through the holding contactor 02.

The relay N remains energized during the rapid traverse motion, despite the opening of the contactor K2 because of the holding of the contactor N2. However, the energization of the relay 0 opens the contactor O3- and relay N is re-energized. This opens the contactor N5 and deenergizes the rapid traverse clutch 67.

The de-energization of relay N also tie-energizes the right traverse clutch 73 by the opening of the contactor N8 and energizes the feed traverse clutch 63 by the closing of contactor N4 The time delay relay C is energized at the end of the preselected time interval-t-3; this starts the timing interval t-4 in the circuit associrrow ated with the tube 133 by the closing of the contactor .C1. Until the relay C is energized, the traverse is stopped and the tie-in dwell, represented by the time interval t-3, is taking place. When the relay C is energized at the end of the interval t-3, the relay H and the relay U are energized and the knife relay W associated with the knife 49 is energized through the closing of contactor U1. As has been stated, the closing of the contactor C1 starts the time interval 2-4, whereby the relay D is eventually energized. This opens the contactor D1 and deenergizes the relay 0 at the end of the interval t-4. The opening of the contactor D1 also de-energizes the relay H and theknife solenoid W. The opening of the same contactor D1 also de-energizes the relay F which, in turn, tie-energizes the relay 1. The de-energization of relay I de-energizes the left reel clutch 35c and energizes the left reel brake 3512. At that time the 'left reel stops and the right reel continues to run counter switch S again operates.

During the operation of the apparatus, a voltage appears across the potentiometer 87 which is indicative of the tension in the strands of wire looped between the drums 83 and 84, this representing the tension in the wire as it passes onto the reel. The tachometer generator 104 which is driven from the output side of the clutch 12 produces a voltage which is indicative of the speed of the reels. These signals are compared in the control circuit whereby the circiut regulates the difference between the input and the output speeds of the clutch 12 so that the tension in the wire is constant irrespective of whether the wire is being wound on an empty reel or a full one. As the wire builds up on a reel, a constant speed of reel will cause the tension in the oncoming wire to increase regularly. The control 160 causes the speed of the reel to drop as the wire builds up, so that the tension remains the same. The importance of this to regular coiling can be appreciated. The output speed of the clutch 97 is maintained constant in the same manner.

The energization of the knife relay W at the end of the time interval t-3 causes the holding contactor W1 to close, thus assuring the energization of the relay W irrespective of what later happens to the relay U. At the same time the contactor W2 is closed, thus energizing the clutch 176 and advancing the knife 49. After the blade of the knife is well past the path of the wire joining the reels and the wire has been cut, the dog strikes the forward limit switch 182, which is a twopole, single-throw switch, as is evident in Figures 6 and 7. This opens the normally-closed portion and permits the relay W to become de-energized due to the opening of its holding circuit. Contactor W2 then opens and the knife advancing clutch 176 is tie-energized. At the same time, the normally-open portion of the switch 182 s that the reels and traverse are not'driven until the ten-,

is closed, so that the knife returning clutch 177 is energized. When the knife has returned to its original retracted position, the dog 180 strikes the limit switch 181 and opens it so that the clutch 177 is die-energized, thus allowing the knife to come to rest.

An examination of the above description of operation shows that .the energization of the relay N is largely responsible for the rapid traverse operations from left to right. When, however, the guide member 78 is being moved from right to left, the relay M acts in exactly the same manner, the relay 0 acting in the same manner to end the rapid traverse portion of the cycle by deenergizing the relay M in the same way that it de-energized the relay N.

It should be noted also'that, if the drum 84 is drawn upwardly by excessive tension in the wire, it eventually will strike the limit switches 151 and 159. The switch 151 is normally closed but when struck by the drum 84, will open and remove current from the clutch 12, so

sion is lowered. The switch 159 is normally open, but

7 until the 13 when struck by the drum 84, is closed and serves to energize both brakes 17b and 3515, so that the reels are slowed down.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A coiling apparatus compri ing a frame, at least one reel mounted on the frame, a shaft on which the reel is mounted, the shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection having a vertical axis, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, the shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, and driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the drivingthereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame 2. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted in aligned relationship on the frame, two shafts on which the reels are respectively mounted, each shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a vertical pivot, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, the other end of the shafts normally residing adjacent each other and parallel to the path of the guide member, and driving means for the shafts which means actuates each shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame.

3. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted in aligned relationship on the frame, a counter measuring the amount of strand, being coiled on the reels, two shafts on which the reels are respectively mounted, each shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a vertical pivot, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight path across the frame, the other ends of the shafts normally residing adjacent each other and parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shafts which means actuates each shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from said path about the hinged connection to the frame, and means driving the guide member in its traverse path through a'rapid traverse clutch and a normal traverse clutch, and means associated with the counter for energizing the rapid traverse clutch and de-energizing the normal traverse clutch after a predetermined amount of strand has been coiled ona reel.

4. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted in aligned relationship on the frame, two shafts on which the reels are respectively mounted, each shaft being hingedly connected fo the frame at one end for swinging movement about a vertical pivot, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight path across the frame, the other ends of the shafts normally residing adjacent each other and parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shafts which means actuates each shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in theinormal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, means causing the guide member to move along its traverse path, said means opcrating through a right traverse clutch and a left traverse clutch, a switch mounted on the guide member for alternately energizing the right traverse clutch and deenergizing the left traverse clutch or de-energizing the right traverse clutch and energizing the right traverse clutch, and a series of dogs mounted adjacent the traverse path of the guide member and adapted to engage the said switch for the actuation thereof.

5. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted in aligned relationship on the frame, two shafts on which the reels are respectively mounted, each shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a vertical pivot, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight path across the frame, the other ends of the shaft normally residing adjacent each other and parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shafts which means engages each shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which'means does not engage the shaft when it is movedaway from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, a right traverse clutch and a left traverse clutch connected to the guide member for the alternate driving thereof, a rapid traverse clutch and a normal traverse clutch connected to the traverse clutches for the alternate driving thereof, a switch operated by the movement of the guide member selectively to energize one of the traverse clutches, and electrical means for energizing the rapid traverse clutch and de-energizing the normal traverse clutch when a predetermined amount of strand has been coiled on one of the reels.

6. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted on the frame, a shaft on which each reel is mounted, the shaft being hingedl connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, the shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, a counter for measuring the passage of wire onto one of the reels, a first timing circuit which is initiated by the counter andwhich determines a first time interval at the end of which the coiling onto the said one of the reels is completed, a'second timing circuit which is ini? tiated at the end of the first time interval and which determines a second time interval at the end of which the counter is reset, a third timing circuit which determines a third time interval begining with the end of a traverse of the guide member to the other reel and is equal to the time required for fastening the strand to the empty reel, and a fourth timing circuit which is initiated at the end of the third time interval and which determines a fourth time interval, the end of the fourth time interval occurring when the completed reel is to be stopped.

7 A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted on the frame, a shaft on which each reel is mounted, the shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, the shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereofwhen it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, a knife which reciprocates between the reels, a counter for measuring the passage of wire onto one of the reels, a first timing circuit which is initiated by the counter and which determines a first time interval at the end of which the coiling onto the said one of the reels is completed, a second timing circuitwhich is initiated'at circuit which is initiated at the end of the third time interval and which determines a fourth time interval, the end of the fourth time interval occurring when the completed reel is to be stopped.

8. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted on the frame, a shaft on which each reel is mounted, the shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection, a guidemember adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, the shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, a knife which reciprocates along a line extending between the reels, first, second, third and fourth timing circuits determining, respectively, first, second, third and fourth time intervals, a counter which energizes the first timing circuit to start the first time interval, a first relay which is energized by the first timing circuit at the end of the first time interval, the first relay energizing the second timing circuit to start the second time interval, the first relay also starting the guide members traversing at a rapid rate from one reel to the other and starting the reset operation of the counter, a switchrwhich is contacted by the guide member when it completes the rapid traverse, the said switch ending the rapid traverse and energizing the third timing circuit to begin the third time interval, a second relay energized by the second timing circuit at the end of the second time interval, the said second relay ending the reset operation of the counter, a

third relay which is energized by the third timing circuit at the end of the third timing interval, the third relay energizing the fourth timing circuit to begin the fourth time interval and starting the forward traverse of the knife, a fourth relay energized by the fourth timing circuit at the end of the fourth time interval, the fourth relay serving to start the guide member traversing at a normal rate of speed.

9. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, right and left aligned reels mounted on the frame, a shaft on which each reel is mounted, each shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection, a guide member adapted to traverse in a straight horizontal path across the frame, each shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, driving means for each shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide memher but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame, a knife which reciprocates along a line extending between the reels, a right traverse clutch and a left traverse clutch through which the guide mem-' her is also driven, a clutch and brake assembly associated with each reel and through which it is driven, the clutches and brakes being of the electromagnetic friction type, first, second, third and fourth timing circuits deterand the rapid traverse clutch while de-energizing the other of the right and left traverse clutches and the normal traverse clutch thus starting the guide member traversing .at a rapid rate from one reel to the other, the first relay also starting the reset operation of the counter, a

switch which is contacted by the guide member when it completes the rapid traverse, the said switch de-energizing the aforesaid energized traverse clutches thus ending the rapid traverse, the said switch also energizing the third timing circuit to begin the third time interval, a

second relay energized by the second timing circuit at the g prevent further forward movement of the knife'and to energize the rearward clutch to start the guide member traversing at a normal rate of speed.

10. Coiling apparatus comprising a frame, two reels mounted on the frame, a shaft on which each reel is mounted, each shaft being connected to the frame;for movement toward and away from the frame, a guide member adapted to travel in a straight, horizontal path across the frame, each shaft normally residing parallel to and closely adjacent to the path of the guide member, driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position adjacent the path of the guide member,

but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the frame, a counter for measuring the passage of wire onto one of the reels, .a first timing means which is initiated by the counter and'which determines a first time interval at the end of which the coiling of the said one of the reels is completed, a second timing means which is initiated at the end of the first time interval and which determines a second time interval at the end of which the counter is reset, a third timing means which determines a third timing interval beginning with the end of a traverse of the guide member to the other reel and is equal to the time required for'fastening a strand to the empty reel, and a fourth timing means which is initiated at theend of the third time intervaland which determines a fourth time interval, the end of the fourth time interval occurring when the completed reel is to be stopped.

11. A coiling apparatus comprising a frame, at'least one reel mounted on the frame a shaft on which the reel is mounted, the shaft being hingedly connected to the frame at one end for swinging movement about a hinged connection, a guide member adapted to traverse in 1 a straight horizontal path across the frame, the shaft normally residing parallel to the path of the guide member, and driving means for the shaft which means actuates the shaft for the driving thereof when it is situated in the normal position parallel to the path of the guide member but which means does not actuate the shaft when it is moved away from the said path about the hinged connection to the frame. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,435,805 Clayton Nov. 14, 1922 1,807,199 Dear May 26, 1931 1,956,632 Snyder May 1, 1934 2,122,468 Hill July 5, 1938 2,126,528 Beach Aug. 9 1938 2,362,179 Weber Nov. 7, 1944 2,424,021 Cook July 15,1947, 2,508,150 Fennell May 16, 1950 

